Automatic metal-shaping machine.



M. A. SMITH. AUTOMATIC MI'ITAL SHAPING MACHINE.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

5 SHEETSSHEET I AfPLICATION FILED JUNE I, 1914. 1,170,010.

. 3 g E 60 60 no so on co o a:

00 e o 9Q M one so DO 00 no no DO 00 1 W0 00 news 000 M. A. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC METAL SHAPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE II, 1914.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M. A. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC METAL SHAPING MACHINE.

191709010. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 11, 19M. Feb. 1 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M. A. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC METAL SHAPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 11. 191

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4,.

M. A. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC METAL SHAPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 11, 1914 Patented Feb.1,1916.

5 SHEETSSHEET 5- .HIILTON'A. SMITH, OF WOONSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE TAFT-PEIRCE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF WOOfiSOCKET, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION To-all whom it may concern:

multaneously edging a or RHODE ISLAND.

AUTOMATIC METAL-SHAPING MACHINE.

nmaoio. f I

Be it known that I, MILTON A. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Woonsocket, in the county of Providence, State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Metal-Shaping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates broadly to the art of metal working and more particularly to a machine for shaping or edging metallic 1 devices, by means of the action of cutters or broaches.

The principal object of this invention is to provide anautomatic mechanism for siplurality of-metallic devices. 7

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine for beveling metallic 20- plates and wherein the inclination of the bevel is determined by the angle at which the plate is presented to the cutting devices and by the angle of the cutting face.

A further object of this invention is to provide'a machine for operating successively upon a series of metal blanks so that, as the blanks constituting the series progress past the forming devices, the forming of the blanks is carried on in progressive succession in such manner that the end blank leaves the forming devices as a finished product.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a machine including anendless chain carrying thereon work supporting members provided with faces inclined to the travel of the chain, and cutting or abrading devices arranged adjacent. said chain in such manner as to act upon the blanks carried by the supporting members.

A still further object of this inventionis to. provide a machine for bevel'ng or shaping metallic plates to provide 0 tting edges on the sides of said plates, in such manner that said plates progress through the machine, as a single series, past a plurality of cutters, eachplate in said series being supported at a predetermined angle with reference to the face of a forming tool.

Another and further object of this invention is to provide a machine for simultaneously bevelingand edging opposite edges of a plurality of triangular metal plates.

" A still further and this invention is to provide a machine for Specification of Letters Patent.

plate blanks A spective more specific object of I Patented Feb. 1., 1916.

Application filed June 11, 1914. Serial No. 844,534.

beveling and edging harvestlng machinery ledger plates by carrying each ledger plate at an angle past a plurality ofcutters, the relationship of the angle at which the ledger are carried and the angle of the cutter faces being such thata predetermined bevel is formed upon the non-parallel edges of the ledger plates.

Still other objects of this invention will in part be obvious/and will in part be pointed out in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawing in which like characters are used to represent like parts throughout the several figures thereof.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine. Fig. 2 is an elevational view showing a portion of the main frame and certain parts of the mechanism in section. Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a transverse section taken on lines AA of Fig. 2. Fig. 4: is a detail sectional view showing the construction of the driving. mechanism. .Fig. 5 is an elevational view taken on the transverse section BB, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a detail per view showing one of the links of the drive chain. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view, illustrating the development of the beveled edge on a ledger plate. Fig. 8 is a View of a broach which comprises the preferred form of cutting tool for use in con- 1 nection with this invention. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the broach shown in Fig.8.

In the manufacture of small articles having nonparallel cutting edges, for example, ledger plates or knife sections for harvesting machinery, considerable difliculty has been experienced in devising mechanisms for economically producings uchcutting edges. The problem of producing the unfinished blank itself is a simple one in that such articles can be easily stamped from sheet stock,

but the stamping operation leaves square unfinished edges which are not suitable for use as cutters. Heretofore the common ractice in producing the cutting edge has een to utilize grinding machines for this purpose, and to present each blank individually to a grinding wheel. The grinding operation as heretofore carried on is comparatively slow and is not susceptible of being effectively used in connection with automatic or semiautomatic machinery.

The invention set forth herein contemplates a machine for producing beveledcutthroughout the entire length of an edge,

movable beds are provided to carry the blanks at a predetermined inclination. The said beds, in the preferred form, are shown as comprising inclined surfaces, formedupon the upper faces of the links of a carrier chain, said beds being inclined in the direction of travel of the carrier chain. A suitable rigid frame is provided with a guide way in which the carrier chain may operate, and cutting or abrading tools are suitably arranged along each side of the carrier chain in such manner as to operate upon each blank as it passes a particular cutter or former. The carrier beds are each provided with holding devices constructed to retain thereon the specific blank to be operated upon, and preferably the holding devices are so arranged as to automatically release the completed blank when the carrier chain passes over a terminal wheel at the forward end of its travel.

In the machine as herein disclosed, the blanks are adapted to be placed upon the links by hand, but any other feeding means may be effectively used.

, It will be noted that this invention contemplates a machine wherein after the blank is fed to the machine, the operation thereon is entirely automatic and the blank as delivered from the machine is completed, in that both edges of the product, in the present instance the ledger plate, has finished cut ting edges formed thereon. It of course follows that the present invention is not intended for the formation of ledger plates or knife sections alone, but maybe useful in operating upon various other. forms and shapes of devices.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the work supporting chain 1 is composed of a plurality of links and these links maybe connected together by means of link pins 2. A preferred form of link is shown in perspective in Fig. 6, wherein it will be noted that the under portion of the link is formed to comprise a short rack 4- and the upper portion of the link comprises a work supporting bed 5. This work supporting bed 5 1s inclined with reference to the rack 4, and is shown as carrying thereon a pair of stud pins 6 at its upper edge and a curved or hooked pin 7 near its lower edge. The forward end of the link is shown as provided sions that form shoulders 10 enabling the" link to cooperate with guiding members,

that will be hereinafter more fully described. Under certain conditions where the links are intended for special work, as for example, the carrying of ledger plates, it is desired to have the links provided with beveled portions 11"to secure clearance for the cutting tools.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the work supporting chain 1' is carried upon grooved idler wheels 12 and 14 respectively. The front idler wheel12 is preferably mounted upon a stationary shaft 15 which is mounted in the side walls of the main frame 16. The rear idler wheel 14 may be mounted upon an adjustable shaft 17. Various ty es of adjustments may be-used for this shaft, but preferably the adjustment is effected by means of carrying the shaft 17 upon movable plates 18 which are mounted to slide in guideways formed in the side walls of the main frame 16, as is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The movement of these side plates is determined by means of adjusting'screws 19 which pass through lugs 20 on the main frame and engage the side plates through threaded openings in such manner that as the adjusting screws 19 are turned the side plates are moved forwardly or backwardly, dependent on the direction of turning of the adjusting screws. Preferably stub screws 21 are provided, by means of which the side plates 18 may be clamped in adjusted position. 'The adjustment of the shaft 17 and its corresponding idler wheel 1 1 permits of taking up the slack in the work supporting chain 1.

The work supporting chain 1 in its upper run, is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 as being supported upon the bed plate 22. The bed plate 22 is preferably reinforced by webs 24 and the bottom of the' groove in which the work chain 1 is guided is shown as provided with a wear plate 25 Guiding plates 26 cooperate with the shoulders 10 on the links of the work supporting chain 1 to maintain the work supporting chain securely in its proper position. Iprefer to drive the work supporting chain 1 by means of a cog wheel 27 mounted upon the main shaft 28 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 4) which is very securely mounted in-bearings on the side plates of the main frame 16.. The main shaft 28 is preferably driven by a worm drive comprising the gear wheel 29 which engages the worm 30 that is mounted upon the stub shaft 31 which carries on its outer end the drive pulley 32. Preferably the driving mechanism is inclosed within a casing 34:

' tool holder comprises tool holding plates 35 which are joined together and strengthend by arched webs 36 that are provided with openings 37 therein. The tool holding plates carry broaches 38, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The broaches are secured tv the tool holding plates in any desired manner, for example, by means of stub screws 39 which pass through the plates 35 and into the broaches 38, and it is desirable that ad justing mechanism, for example, adjusting screws 40,'be provided to bear against the rear edges of the broaches in such manner as to permit of adjustment of the working edges of the broaches with reference to the a work being carried on the links of the work for example,

by means of suitable pipes such supporting chain. A preferred form I of broach is illustrated in Figs. 8 and-9 wherein it will be noted that each broach comprises a plurality of cuttin edges which are substantially-the equiva ent of individual cutting tools. This preferred form of breach 38, is provided'with cutting edges 64, which are inclined in two directions, that is, under and back. The upper point of the cutters may be cut off asat 65. By inclining the cutting faces backwardly thee-edges. engage the work at an angle and produce a shearing cut, and at the same time deliver the cutting pressure on the blank in "a direction which forces the blank against the work supporting bed. .Other forms of cutters may be used having differently dis osed cutting edges or if desired individu'a cutting tools may be utilized in the place of the broaches, as illustrated. I

vIn order to facilitate operation of the" machine, it is preferable that the cutters be lubricated during operation, and therefore mecha'nismis provided for pumping lard oil or other lubricant over the .work during the operation of the machine. To carry out such lubrication, the following mechanism may be provided: A lubricant container 41 may be placed in, some convenient position,

beneath the bed of the maand connected as 42, which are provided to lead the lubricant form various portions of the machine back to the container 41. A lubricant pump 44 of any well known type, may be driven in any conchine, (as shown in Fig. 2)v

I venient manner from the stub shaft 31, and

is adapted to withdraw the lubricant from the container 41 and distribute it, as for ex- 7. Also in such manner that the inner run of the chains is in the direction of the general travel of the work supporting chain, and the several scrapers are adapted to deliver the chips to hoppers 50 at each side of the machine. The driving sprocket wheels 49 are mounted upon short vertical shafts which carry at their lower ends bevel gears 51. One of the webs 24 beneath the bed plate 22 is provided with a bearing 52 in which is mounted a short shaft 54 thatcarries bevel gears 55 which mesh with and drive the bevel gears 51. The shaft 54 carries on its outer end a small sprocket wheel 56 that is connected by a drive chain 57 with a sprocket wheel 58 mounted on the main drive shaft 28, in such manner that as the main drive shaft is operated the intermediate gearing operates to drive the scavenging chains, as has been set forth.

In order to relieve the work supporting chain 1 from unnecessary strain due to its weight, a pair of tracks 59 are provided to support the lower run of the chain by enabling the shoulders 10 on the links to be supported bythe upper edges of the tracks. These tracks are-'- -prefera-bly adjustably mounted on supporting rods 60 and 61 respectively. The front end of the machine frame is preferably formed into a finished work receiving hopper 62 wherein the finished work is adapted to fall after the cutting or forming operation is complete.

It will be noted that the main frame of the machine is formed to constitute a trough and that all of the hoppers of the machine are provided'with drain bottoms in such manner that lubricants used in the operation' of the machine are all kept within the machine and drained back to the lubricant container 41, as .has been previously set forth.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view specifically illustrating the operation of beveling one edge of a ledger plate, it being understood of course, from other figures of the machine, that both edges are beveled simultaneously,

' but in order to avoid confusion onlyone edge is shown as being operated on in Fig. order to obviate confusion, but a single cutter is illustrated, l

. Considering the diagrammatic view 7, a

edge B, that is, it is beveled from the top under and from the cutting edge rearward,

and only a single cutting edge is illustrated.

This illustrates a slant to the cuttingfedge but shows the edge as being in a vertical plane. The inclination at which the ledger plate is carried is such that a projection of the ledger plate edge is an inclined line parallel to the cutting edge B of the cutting tool. The ledger plate is carried on the bed plate 5 in such manner that the cutting edge B of the tool removes a triangular strip of metal from the edge of the ledger plate blank, and the width of the base of this triangular strip is indicated by the lines C-D. As the link travels in the direction of the arrow the cutting edge of the tool will engage the entire edge of the ledger plate, beginning at the lower corner and terminating at the upper corner. When the ledger plate has passed the cutting tool a triangular strip of uniform depth has been removed from the side of the plate. It will therefore be seen by an inspection of Fig. 7 that the ledger plate may be sharpened by an action substantially the same as the operation of a planer. v

Inthe operation of the machine, which will now be described, several cutters, or cutting faces, are adapted to successively engage the edges of the plates in order to remove the metal therefrom gradually and thereby securing rapid work with less vibration and strain than would occurwhere tween the stub pins 6, thereby effectively securing ledger plates on the work supporting beds. As the work supporting chain 1 moves 7 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, the

ledger plates are carried past the cutting edges on the broaches 38. The broaches are preferably ad usted by means of the adjusting screws 40 in such manner that the first engagement of the ledger plate with the broach removes only a small portion of the edge, and as the plate progresses lengthwise of the broach the entire bevel is formed on the ledger plate so that as it leaves the end of the broach the plate is completely beveled and is finished. The ledger plate remains in position upon the work supporting chain until the chain passes over the idler front wheelv 12, when gravity causes the plate to tilt forward and slide off the curved hooked pins 7 and drop into the finished work hopper 62. During the movement of the'work chain 1, lubricating oil has been pumpedover the cutting faces of the broach, ashas been described, and the scavenging chains 46 have been operative to gather the chips from beneath the broaches and deliver the i chips into the hoppers 50.

From the above operation itwill be noted that the machine'operates to perform a continuous planing or shaping action whereby rough work passesinto one end of the machine and finished work is delivered from the other.

It is obvious that my invention may be embodied in mechanisms other than the specific form herein disclosed, and therefore I desire it to be understood that the device herein shown is but a preferred form of one of the many possible forms of my invention.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described in combination, a machine frame including, a

bed plate provided with a longitudinal groove therein, transverse webs beneath said bed plate, waste hoppers at each side of said machine frame, a finished work hopper at the front end of said machine frame; a work carrying chain adapted to travel in a groove in said bed plate, said work carrying chain comprising, links having beveled faces, racks on said links, work holders upon the upper faces of said links, shoulders on the sides of said links; grooved wheels adapted to carry said work carrying chain; spaced apart tracks adapted to carry the under run of said work chain, devices to adjust one of said wheels to take up slack in said work chain; a driving gear for operative engagement with the racks on the links of said chain to drive said chain; a tool holder adj acent the upper runof said chain; broaches supported by said tool holder; means to adjust said broaches toward saidwork chain; and scavenging devices beneath said breaches and including chains provided with flights thereon to convey waste to the said waste hoppers. u

2. In a device of the class described in combination, a machine frame including a bed plate provided with ;a longitudinal groove therein, transverse webs beneath said bed plate, guide strips arranged adjacent the upper portion of said groove, waste hoppers at each side of said machine frame, a finished work hopper at the front end of said machine frame; a work carrying chain includin links having beveled WOIkxSlllJ- porting aces, racks opposite said work supporting faces, work holders on said links, shoulders on said links and adapted to co-' holder comprising a plate on each side of the upper run of said chain, arched webs connecting said plates, and adjusting screws for regulatin the tool; a broach carried by said tool holder adjacent the upper run of said chain; and scavenging means to remove the waste from'beneath said broach and carry same to the waste hoppers.

3.- In a device of the class described in combination, a machine frame including a bed plate having a longitudinal groove therein, transverse webs beneath said bed plate, strips adjacent the upperedge of said grooves to guide a work chain, waste hoppers, a finished work hopper; a work carrying chain including links having beveled work supporting faces, work holders upon said supporting faces, shoulders on the sides of said links; flanged wheels vertically disposed for supporting said chain; adjustments for one of said wheels; tracks to support the lower run of said chain; means to drive said chain, said means including a worm wheel; a tool holder on each side of the upper run of said chain, said tool holder including arched webs crossing above said chain; adjusting screws for regulating a forming tool; forming tools carried by said tool holder and having work faces on each side of said work chain; scavenging means located beneath said tools, and means to lubricate the cutting edges of said tools.

I 4. In a device of the class described in combination, a machine frame including a bed plate provided with a longitudinal groove therein, transverse strengthening webs beneath said bed plate, strips adjacent the upper edge of said groovefor guiding a chain a waste hopper, a finished work hopper; a work carrying chain including links having beveled faces; flanged wheels for' carrying said chain; tracks for supporting the lower run of said chain; means to drive the said chain; a tool holder for supportin broaches on each side of the upper run 0 said chain; broaches having a plurality of cutting faces adjacent the upper run of said chain; means to remove the waste from beneath said broaches and deposit same in the waste hoppers, and means to lubricate the broaches.

5. In a device of the class described in combination, a machine frame including a bed plate having a longitudinal groove therein, transverse strengthening webs beneath said bedplate; a work carrying chain supported in said longitudinal groove, said chain including links having beveled work supporting faces, means to retain metallic plates upon said work supporting faces; wheels for carrying said chain; means to drive said chain; a tool holder on each side of said chain; and broaches having beveled cutting edges adjacent said chain; the cutting edges of said broaches having a double inclination, one of said inclinations being toward the work carrying chain, and the other inclination being opposed to the direction of travel of the chain to cause the action of said cutting edges to press the work against the beveled Work supporting faces.

6. In a device of the class described in combination, a machine frame comprising a trough-like structure, a bed plate on the upper part of said machine frame, a work carrying chain supported by said bed plate, tool holders carried by said bed plate adjacent said chain, forming tools carried by said tool holders, means to drive said chain between said forming tools, the trough-like portion of said machine frame being heneath said work carrying chain and said forming tools to receive lubricant that is conducted to the work forming tools, a container for a lubricant, means to lubricate said forming tools, and conduits connected with said machine frame to draw off'the lubricant and return same to the said conracks upon the under side of said links, work holdeisupon the supporting faces of said links, means to drive said chain, broaches mounted upon each side of a portion of said chain and having cutting edges adjacent said chain, substantially as described.

8. In a device of the class described in combination, a machine frame, a work carrying chain, said chain including links having beveled work carrying faces; hookshaped pins carried by said links and bent in the direction of the travel of said chain, wheels. for supporting said chain in such manner that work on said hooks will fall by gravity from said hooks as said chain runs over one of said wheels, means to drive said chain, and forming tools on each side of said chain, substantially described.

9. In a device of the class described in comblnation, a work supporting chain including links, work supporting faces formed on said links at a predetermined inclination, cutting tools adjacent said chain, said cutting tools having edges formed at-a predetermined angle, and means to drive said chain past said cutting edges to enable said cutting edges to make a beveled cut at an angle determined by the inclination of the work faces and the inclination of the cutting edges.

10. In a device of the character described in combination, a work supporting chain composed ofa plurality of links, each link being provided with a rack on the under side thereof, a Work bed on the upper side thereof, and work supporting means upon said bed; forming tools on each side of said chain; a driving gear adapted to mesh with the racks on the links forming said chain; and means for supporting andguiding said chain.

11. In a device of the character described in combination, awork supporting chain, means adapted to direct a portion of said chain to travel in substantially a straight line, a rack formed upon said chain, work supporting members carried by said chain, forming tools on each side of said chain, means for driving said chain in such a manner that the portion of said chain passing through the work zone is under tension.

12. In a device of the character described in combination, a work supporting continuous chain having an upper run and a lower run, the upper run being directly over said lower run, a rack formed upon said chain, Work supports carried on said chain opposite said rack, a gear adapted to engage said rack and drive said chain, forming tools on each side of the upper run of said chain, means to support the upper run of said chain, and means to support the lower run of said chain.

13. In a device of the character described in combination, a machine frame, oppositely .forming tools to enable said tools to be operative upon the edges of the plates carried on said supporting members.

14:. In a device of the character described in combination, a machine frame, forming tools provided with cutting edges and supported by said machine frame, a work supporting member adapted to carry a metallic plate at an angle with reference to the travel of said supporting member, the projection of the cutting edges of said forming tools being inclined toward the path of travel of said supporting member, and means to drive said supporting member past said forming tool.

15. A device for beveling non-parallel edged plates comprising a cutting tool, supporting members adapted to support a plate at an angle to the travel of said supporting members, the projection of the cutting edge of said tool bein inclined toward said work supporting mem er, and means for driving said work support to carry the plates into the effective zone of said cutting tool.

16. A device of the character described for beveling non-parallel edged plates comprising in combination, supporting members adapted to support plates at an angle to the travel of said supporting members, a cutting tool, means to drive said supporting members past said cutting tool, the projection of the edge of said cutting tool on a planev at right angles to the line of travel of the supporting members being an inclined line, a projection of the cutting edge to a vertical plane in'the line of travel of said supporting members also being an inclined line, the construction and arrangement of parts being such that said cutting edge is engaged at its lower part by the sides of said plates and as the plates progress beneath the tool the efiective portion of the cutting edge travels from the lower adjacent said supporting member, the projection of said cutting edge on a plane at right angles, to the travel of the supporting member being an inclined line, the projection of the edges of a plate upon said sup porting member on the said plane being an inclined line parallel to the projection-of the cutting edge, and means to drive said supporting member to carry the said plate in such manner as to remove substantially the same cross section of metal throughout the entire edge of the said plate.

18. A device for beveling ledger plates having non-parallel edges comprising means to support a ledger plate,'cutting tools on each side of said supporting means, the edges of said cutting tools when projectedon the plane at right angles to thetravel of the supporting members being inclined lines, the inclination of the ledger plate being such that the projection of the edge of said plate on the said plane being inclined lines parallel to the projection of the said cutting edges, and means to drive said supporting means past said cutting edges in such manner as to remove substantially the same cross section of material throughout the entire length of said edges.

19. A machine for edging ledger plates comprising, a machine frame including, a

'bed plate; a work supporting chain adapted chain, a pair of cutters on each side of a portionof said chain; and means to drive i a work carrying chain supported by the bed said chain to cause said cutters to simultaneously bevel both. edges of said ledger plates.

20. In a device for beveling ledger plates'in combination, a machine frame,1a bed plate carried by a portionofthe machine frame,

on opposite sides of a portion of said chain, means to remove the was teqmaterial, fromv beneath said tools, and means to lubricate said tools when the machine is in operation.

21. A device for sharpening ledger plates comprising means to carry a plurality of ledger plates at a predetermined angle, cutting tools mounted on each side of said carrying means, the cutting edge of said work tools being in'clinedtoward said carrying means at a predetermined angle, devices to drive said carrying means past said cutting tools, the construction and arrangement of parts bein such that a strip of. metal of substantia y uniform'cross section is simultaneously removed from each side of the.

ledger plates ,Qwhen said carrying means .moves past theisaid cutting edges.

.f jMI TONASMITI-I.

Witnessesz' Roy J. Somme,

Ans'rm M. Wmsonn. 

